Faculty FAQ - Electronic Course Reserves

How do I submit items to post on Electronic Reserves?
Please refer to our Procedures for Placing Materials on Electronic Reserves prior to filling out our Online Request Form. There are four options for submitting materials:

  1. You have electronic copies of the documents:
    If you have a file of the document, simply fill out and attach the file to the Online Request Form and click submit.
  2. The material you need is available online through WSULS Online Journals::
    Find the persistant URL to the document, then fill out the Online Request Form, cut and pasting the URL in the form and click submit.
  3. You have paper copies of the documents:
    After filling out the Online Request Form, print the form and attach it to the photocopies being submitted and either drop them off or send via campus-mail to the Reserves Department at 131 Purdy Library. Please include a clear and legible copy of the of the copyright statement published along with each work requested. Citations for articles available online or web links should also be included on the form.
  4. You require scans made of items owned by WSU:
    Provide full bibliographic citations for each item being requested on the Online Request Form and if it is available, staff will copy and post the material on your behalf.

What can I post on Electronic Reserves?
You can provide your students with links to full-text articles available in the library online journals, Audio lectures, and scanned documents.

Please keep in mind that not all documents can be posted in ERes, depending on certain copyright limitations. Though many documents may be posted after we obtain permission from the rights-holder, some documents cannot be posted in their entirety and there are some that cannot be posted at all.

Please refer to Copyright and Electronic Reserves for more detailed information.

Are there limits to the number of articles that I can place on Electronic Reserves?
We ask that faculty limit their use to 12 documents per class, per semester. We have the ability to provide statistics on how often the articles are accessed (though not by whom), so you may review how frequently posted articles are used.

How do I submit materials to you that are already in an electronic format?
There are a few ways. The preferred method is to include the persistant URL or the file attachment on the Online Request Form, You may send the persistant URL or the file as an e-mail attachment to ereserves@wayne.edu. We will also accept a CD, disk or thumb-drive containing the document should you desire to visit the office.

How long does it take for requests to get posted electronically?
It depends. We must seek and obtain permission prior to posting any copyright protected documents that faculty request. Certain permission requests may take longer than others depending on whether or not rights-holders have pre-authorized use of their content. To best prepare for the upcoming semester, we ask that you begin the request process as far ahead of time as possible. As a general guide, however, we offer the following estimates of turn-around time for posting:

Requests are handled on a first-come first-served basis, so requests placed after the beginning of term will likely experience delays.

Who has access to material on Electronic Reserves?
Most course content is password protected. Faculty or their proxy should provide the password to currently enrolled students in the course. Course content that is not password protected can be viewed by anyone.

Are passwords for electronic reserves required?
Protecting course content is a required step to ensure copyright compliance under the law. Instructors will be notified of the password for his/her course site and should distribute it only to those students currently enrolled in the course.

Do I need permission from students to post their papers/projects on Electronic Reserve?
Yes. Student papers and projects cannot be placed on Reserve without written permission from the student.

What happens if I want to re-use materials in subsequent semesters?
There is no restriction on use of the document if it is in public domain. Also, if you hold the copyright for the material (i.e., course notes, sample exams, audio files of lectures), then we can extend the material's availability immediately upon placing your request. You will be asked to confirm in writing that you are the rights-holder.

If the material is a journal article, a book chapter, or other copyright protected material, then we must acquire permission from the copyright holder as we had to seek permission to post upon your original request. There is no guarantee of how long the permissions process will take, so please be sure to submit your requests as early as possible.

How do I request Digital Media Production services?
Our Digital Media Production Services include a broad range of software applications in graphic design, illustration, image manipulation, audio and video program development, web site and web content development as well as digital video editing. These capabilities are supported with a mixture of computer platforms including Macintosh and Windows. Peripherals include CD-ROM/DVD writers, digital cameras, high capacity removable disk drives, and digital video recorders.

Request streaming audio and video technology by visiting Media Services, sending an email to mediaservices@wayne.edu, or calling 313-577-1980. Once the audio or video files are created for your course, they, too, can be linked to your Electronic Reserves course page.

How do I link to Electronic Reserves from Blackboard?
Go to your Eres course page. At the top of the course page you will see a course info and document tab. Click on the “Course Info” tab look for the persistent URL. Copy and paste the persistent URL in your Blackboard page. Adding the link on your Blackboard page will bypass the ERes password.

Who should I contact with further questions about electronic reserves?
Please contact Electronic Reserves at ereserves@wayne.edu or call (313) 577-3384.